Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

I don’t remember how I came across the free online news feed called “1440,” but I’ve subscribed for a couple months now.

I like the logic behind the name: that the printing press was invented around the year 1440 (although this publication isn’t actually printed) and that there are 1440 minutes in a day.

I like the concept: that the publication offers fact-driven news, rather than opinion. It does not favor one political point of view over another. I like the brevity: you can read what the editors deem the important stories of the day in about five minutes, although there are links to other sources if you want more in-depth information. It’s actually these links I look for, because every one of them sends you to a source that is also free. I’ve tired of the NYT and WaPo teasing you with a link but insisting you pay a subscription fee to read it.

What I don’t like is the way 1440 integrates its advertisers into the narrative. It can be hard to tell when a sponsor is out to sell you something rather than simply sharing information. But once I figured this out, the pros far outweigh this con.